Mechernich – The Indian Samaritan sister and superior Little Flower (45), who lives and works at the Communio in Christo in Mechernich, celebrated the 25th anniversary of her religious vows, the so-called Silver Profession, on Saturday.

She renewed her vows in a holy mass. Superior General Jaison Thazhathil was the main celebrant, Father Patrick Mwanguhya preached and the ‘Effata’ choir from Zülpich provided the musical accompaniment.

At the subsequent celebration in the refectory of the Ordo Communionis in Christo, there were numerous performances, including dances by Little Flower's Indian niece, Aleena, and her friend Maya Stephan, as well as the Roman seminarians Simon Peter Aliu from Uganda and Joel Guzuye from Tanzania.

Sister Lidwina spoke on behalf of the community of the Communio, Sister Rose on behalf of the Samaritan Sisters, Superior General Jaison Thazhathil on behalf of the Ordo and Deacon Manfred Lang on behalf of the management of the social organisation of Communio in Christo, for which Sister Little Flower works as an ‘always reliable and loving nurse’, as he said.

"Soul mates of charity"

Msgr Paul Chittilappilly, the pre-conciliar founder of the Indian Samaritan Sisters, and Mother Marie Therese, who launched the Ordo Communionis in Christo on 8 December 1984, were always ‘kindred spirits’ of charity and the spirituality of the Second Vatican Council for the first Superior General Karl-Heinz Haus.

‘You, Sister Little Flower, helped put theory into practice. You worked the theology of both foundations and of the Council with your hands and prayed with your lips. In all modesty and restraint, you carried the spirit of Christ to the sick and suffering - and to your fellow brothers and sisters in the communities,’ said the deacon.

Sister Lidwina wished the jubilarian ‘God's rich blessing, continued strength and joy for your service to our residents, who all love and appreciate you as much as we do.’ She lives by the motto of her founder, Monsignor Paul Chittilapilly: ‘The maximum for Jesus and the minimum for me’.

‘Your kindness, your love, your calm and your foresight, your openness to all people are a great example not only for us in the community, but also for all the people who meet you,’ Lidwina continued: ’We can simply rely on you. We know that you really relate everything to God and place everything in God's hands.’

Sister Theresia from the Communio explained: ‘She is a great role model for me. She never shows that she is stressed, even when the most diverse things are brought to her. She is not partisan, but balanced and does not get emotional in arguments.’

General Superior Jaison Thazhathil said at the beginning of the celebration Mass: "Dear Sister Little Flower, we are very happy that you are here and thank God for giving us you." Father Patrick said in his homily: "The celebration of Sister Little Flower's 25th anniversary is not about celebrating her own achievements, but about gratitude for God's call and his constant accompaniment in her life."

„Help and support at all times“

Sister Rose spoke on behalf of the Samaritan Sisters about the self-sacrificing and selfless attitude of their superior. She was "a role model for us all". The jubilarian herself thanked everyone by name and personally for the love and help that had been shown to her in Mechernich and previously in India.

The first Superior General of the Ordo Communionis in Christo, Father Karl-Heinz Haus, had been like a loving father to her, and the new Superior, Father Jaison Thazhathil, had given her and her community "tireless help and support". The spiritual guidance of the priests Father Rudolf Ammann, Father Gregor Stepkes and Hermann Walch "always meant a lot to her".

The ninth of ten siblings thanked her parents Jacob and Girly for the religious development she was able to experience in the family. Today, the Samaritan Sisters are her family. Sister Little Flower thanked her guests with an Indian feast prepared by her fellow sisters under the direction of Sister Rose.

pp/Agentur ProfiPress